do all doorbells have a transformer? I cant find one, cant even find the bell! trying to see if I can fix the door bell on a house I recently bought. has never worked since I have taken possesion.
no transformer or bell near button or electrical panel, where else should I look?

clydesdale

03-31-2011 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

do all doorbells have a transformer? I cant find one, cant even find the bell! trying to see if I can fix the door bell on a house I recently bought. has never worked since I have taken possesion.
no transformer or bell near button or electrical panel, where else should I look?

If your basement ceiling is still exposed I would look for the transformer attached to a junction box somewhere or attached to one of those plain pull string light switches that are common in unfinished spaces. You can also look for the wiring in ceiling as well. I usually start by going to the spot in the basement underneath the doorbell and start following the cable back to the transformer and it will also provide some hint as to where the chime unit is as well as they are all wired together (assuming not wireless).

Do It Right

03-31-2011 07:17 AM

If there is a button by the door, remove it.
If it holds a battery (no wires to it), someone removed the wireless doorbell.
If there are wires behind it, the house was once wired for a doorbell, and over time it must have been removed.
Older homes had small individual bell wires, usually they were tan in color, and were easily damaged.
Homes built since the 60's typically have brown, "thermostat" wire installed for the doorbell.